US4981206A - Package handling apparatus - Google Patents

Package handling apparatus Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US4981206A
US4981206A US07/269,810 US26981088A US4981206A US 4981206 A US4981206 A US 4981206A US 26981088 A US26981088 A US 26981088A US 4981206 A US4981206 A US 4981206A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
package
opening
handling apparatus
air
package handling
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US07/269,810
Inventor
Kenneth W. Franklin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Bishopbarn Ltd
Original Assignee
Bishopbarn Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bishopbarn Ltd filed Critical Bishopbarn Ltd
Assigned to BISHOPBARN LIMITED reassignment BISHOPBARN LIMITED ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: FRANKLIN, KENNETH W.
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US4981206A publication Critical patent/US4981206A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G21/00—Supporting or protective framework or housings for endless load-carriers or traction elements of belt or chain conveyors
    • B65G21/20—Means incorporated in, or attached to, framework or housings for guiding load-carriers, traction elements or loads supported on moving surfaces
    • B65G21/2027—Suction retaining means
    • B65G21/2036—Suction retaining means for retaining the load on the load-carrying surface

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to package handling apparatus for conveying products such as packets of snack foods.
  • suction heads In package handling apparatus such as in installations for conveying packages from one location to another, possibly with a change of orientation, it is well known to employ suction heads against which the packages are drawn.
  • Conventional suction heads require a relatively high vacuum which is normally supplied from continuously running suction pumps.
  • the pump In order to provide sufficient suction for most of the heads when one or perhaps two other heads are not closed off by a package, the pump requires sufficient capacity to generate an appropriate level of suction with such unrestricted flow through a small number of heads.
  • An inevitable result is a requirement for a large capacity suction pump which is expensive to install and operate, runs noisily and generates unrequired heat. In a factory environment, the noise and heat make for undesirable working conditions.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a package handling apparatus and method in which these disadvantages can be reduced or overcome.
  • a package handling apparatus which comprises:
  • a source of air flow arranged to draw air into the enclosure through the opening
  • support means arranged in the opening and movable relative to the opening, the support means being positioned to be in the flow of air into the enclosure and to provide a movable support for a package which is urged against the support means by the flow of air past the support.
  • the source of air flow comprises a centrifugal fan.
  • the fan and a driving motor for the fan may be mounted directly on the enclosure.
  • the means for controlling air flow comprises a valve constituted by one or more louvres.
  • the support means may comprise a conveyor positioned in said opening and operable to transport packages from one location to another. Additionally or alternatively, the support means may comprise a platen which is rotatable within the opening for changing the orientation of a package in the opening.
  • the apparatus may include at least two sources of air flow each provided with separate means for varying the air flow.
  • the apparatus may include a divider within the enclosure so as to divide the enclosure into sections each provided with a source of air flow and means for varying the air flow so as to enable a package to be handled independently in each of the sections.
  • the package handling apparatus permits a package to be handled, for example transported and/or rotated, in a large volume of relatively fast moving air and with a small pressure drop.
  • heat and noise generated by the apparatus and method of the present invention is substantially less than with the prior art thus improving the working environment in addition to permitting savings in energy.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a package handling apparatus according to the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view along the line II--II shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a package handling apparatus according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 shows a part of the apparatus of FIG. 3 with a turning platen lowered.
  • the package handling apparatus is intended primarily for lifting and transporting packages such as packets of potato crisps from one location to another. However, the apparatus may be used for conveying other products such as other packets of snack foods. The apparatus is particularly appropriate for conveying high-bulk lightweight products but can also be used with heavier products having sufficient surface area.
  • the package handling apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises an enclosure in the form of an elongate hood 11 made from sheet metal and comprising side walls 12,13, end walls 14,15, an upper wall 16, and inclined end walls 17,18.
  • a generally circular opening 19 is formed in the upper wall 16 and mounted on the upper wall 16 and in communication with the opening 19 by way of a circular wall 20 is a centrifugal fan 21 which is driven by an integral electric motor.
  • the fan 21 is arranged to draw air out through the opening 19 in the hood as indicated by arrows 22 and thus acts as a source of air flow arranged to draw air into the hood by way of an opening 23 defined by the side walls 12,13 and the end walls 14,15.
  • FIG. 1 An arrangement of louvres 24 provided within the circular wall 20 is shown in an open position in solid lines and in a closed position in dashed lines in FIG. 1.
  • the louvres 24 form a valve which acts as a means for controlling or varying air flow through the hood 11.
  • a conveyor 25 which comprises a driven shaft 26 having a pair of driven rollers mounted thereon and an idle shaft 27 having a pair of idle rollers mounted thereon.
  • a pair of belts 28 of high friction material extend around the idle rollers and the driven rollers and are movable to transport packages 29 on rotation of the driven shaft 26.
  • the dimensions of the opening 23 are determined by a pair of side plates 30 and by a pair of end plates 31.
  • a package such as a packet of potato crisps is conveyed to a position below one end of the conveyor 25.
  • the fan 21 runs continuously but at this stage the louvres 24 are closed and no air is drawn into the hood 11.
  • the louvres are opened and air flows upwardly into the hood. Despite a pressure drop of only about 0.01 bar, the upward movement of air draws the package upwardly against the conveyor 25 which then transports the package to a second location at the other end of the conveyor. The louvres 24 are then closed and this allows the package to drop away from the conveyor to a desired position.
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 operates on the same principle as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts.
  • the package handling apparatus shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 incorporates a second centrifugal fan 40 and a dividing plate 41 is provided in the hood 11 so that fan 21 and louvres 24 control or vary the flow of air into the left-hand side of the hood as shown in FIG. 3 while the fan 40 and louvres 42 control or vary the flow of air into the right-hand side of the hood as shown in FIG. 3.
  • This enables the packages to be controlled independently on different sections of the conveyor.
  • the package handling apparatus shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 incorporates a turning platen 43 which extends between the belts 28 of the conveyor 25 and which is movable between a raised position (FIG. 3) in which it does not bear against the packages and a lower position (FIG. 4) in which it is able to support a package in the air flow into the hood 11.
  • the turning platen 43 is rotatable and permits the orientation of a package to be changed. This can be accomplished, for example, by lowering the turning platen, turning it through 90°, opening the louvres 24 to create an air flow and to urge a package against the underside of the platen, rotating the platen back through 90°, and raising the platen such that the package rises and engages against the conveyor.
  • the package reaches the other end of the conveyor it can then be transported in a direction at right angles to its incoming direction of can be processed further in its new orientation as required.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Specific Conveyance Elements (AREA)
  • Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)

Abstract

Package handling apparatus comprises an enclosure having a downwardly directed opening, a source of air flow arranged to draw air into the enclosure through the opening, and lowers for varying the air flow into the enclosure. A conveyor is arranged in the opening and is movable relative to the opening, the conveyor being positioned to be in the flow of air into the enclosure and to provide a movable support for a package which is urged against the conveyor by the flow of air past the support.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to package handling apparatus for conveying products such as packets of snack foods.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
In package handling apparatus such as in installations for conveying packages from one location to another, possibly with a change of orientation, it is well known to employ suction heads against which the packages are drawn. Conventional suction heads require a relatively high vacuum which is normally supplied from continuously running suction pumps. In order to provide sufficient suction for most of the heads when one or perhaps two other heads are not closed off by a package, the pump requires sufficient capacity to generate an appropriate level of suction with such unrestricted flow through a small number of heads. An inevitable result is a requirement for a large capacity suction pump which is expensive to install and operate, runs noisily and generates unrequired heat. In a factory environment, the noise and heat make for undesirable working conditions.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a package handling apparatus and method in which these disadvantages can be reduced or overcome.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a package handling apparatus which comprises:
an enclosure having a downwardly directed opening;
a source of air flow arranged to draw air into the enclosure through the opening;
means for varying the air flow into the enclosure; and
support means arranged in the opening and movable relative to the opening, the support means being positioned to be in the flow of air into the enclosure and to provide a movable support for a package which is urged against the support means by the flow of air past the support.
Preferably, the source of air flow comprises a centrifugal fan. The fan and a driving motor for the fan may be mounted directly on the enclosure. Preferably the means for controlling air flow comprises a valve constituted by one or more louvres.
The support means may comprise a conveyor positioned in said opening and operable to transport packages from one location to another. Additionally or alternatively, the support means may comprise a platen which is rotatable within the opening for changing the orientation of a package in the opening.
The apparatus may include at least two sources of air flow each provided with separate means for varying the air flow. The apparatus may include a divider within the enclosure so as to divide the enclosure into sections each provided with a source of air flow and means for varying the air flow so as to enable a package to be handled independently in each of the sections.
The package handling apparatus according to the present invention permits a package to be handled, for example transported and/or rotated, in a large volume of relatively fast moving air and with a small pressure drop. We have found that the heat and noise generated by the apparatus and method of the present invention is substantially less than with the prior art thus improving the working environment in addition to permitting savings in energy.
For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a package handling apparatus according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view along the line II--II shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a package handling apparatus according to the present invention; and
FIG. 4 shows a part of the apparatus of FIG. 3 with a turning platen lowered.
The package handling apparatus is intended primarily for lifting and transporting packages such as packets of potato crisps from one location to another. However, the apparatus may be used for conveying other products such as other packets of snack foods. The apparatus is particularly appropriate for conveying high-bulk lightweight products but can also be used with heavier products having sufficient surface area.
The package handling apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises an enclosure in the form of an elongate hood 11 made from sheet metal and comprising side walls 12,13, end walls 14,15, an upper wall 16, and inclined end walls 17,18. A generally circular opening 19 is formed in the upper wall 16 and mounted on the upper wall 16 and in communication with the opening 19 by way of a circular wall 20 is a centrifugal fan 21 which is driven by an integral electric motor. The fan 21 is arranged to draw air out through the opening 19 in the hood as indicated by arrows 22 and thus acts as a source of air flow arranged to draw air into the hood by way of an opening 23 defined by the side walls 12,13 and the end walls 14,15. An arrangement of louvres 24 provided within the circular wall 20 is shown in an open position in solid lines and in a closed position in dashed lines in FIG. 1. The louvres 24 form a valve which acts as a means for controlling or varying air flow through the hood 11.
Mounted in the opening 23 is a conveyor 25 which comprises a driven shaft 26 having a pair of driven rollers mounted thereon and an idle shaft 27 having a pair of idle rollers mounted thereon. A pair of belts 28 of high friction material extend around the idle rollers and the driven rollers and are movable to transport packages 29 on rotation of the driven shaft 26. The dimensions of the opening 23 are determined by a pair of side plates 30 and by a pair of end plates 31.
In use, a package such as a packet of potato crisps is conveyed to a position below one end of the conveyor 25. The fan 21 runs continuously but at this stage the louvres 24 are closed and no air is drawn into the hood 11.
Once the package is in position the louvres are opened and air flows upwardly into the hood. Despite a pressure drop of only about 0.01 bar, the upward movement of air draws the package upwardly against the conveyor 25 which then transports the package to a second location at the other end of the conveyor. The louvres 24 are then closed and this allows the package to drop away from the conveyor to a desired position.
The embodiment of the package handling apparatus shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 operates on the same principle as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts.
The package handling apparatus shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 incorporates a second centrifugal fan 40 and a dividing plate 41 is provided in the hood 11 so that fan 21 and louvres 24 control or vary the flow of air into the left-hand side of the hood as shown in FIG. 3 while the fan 40 and louvres 42 control or vary the flow of air into the right-hand side of the hood as shown in FIG. 3. This enables the packages to be controlled independently on different sections of the conveyor.
In addition, the package handling apparatus shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 incorporates a turning platen 43 which extends between the belts 28 of the conveyor 25 and which is movable between a raised position (FIG. 3) in which it does not bear against the packages and a lower position (FIG. 4) in which it is able to support a package in the air flow into the hood 11. The turning platen 43 is rotatable and permits the orientation of a package to be changed. This can be accomplished, for example, by lowering the turning platen, turning it through 90°, opening the louvres 24 to create an air flow and to urge a package against the underside of the platen, rotating the platen back through 90°, and raising the platen such that the package rises and engages against the conveyor. When the package reaches the other end of the conveyor it can then be transported in a direction at right angles to its incoming direction of can be processed further in its new orientation as required.

Claims (10)

I claim:
1. Apparatus for handling a package having lateral sides, comprising:
(a) an enclosure having a downwardly directed opening and an outlet, said opening having a longitudinal axis;
(b) said opening having substantially apart and opposed first and second ends along said longitudinal axis;
(c) support means disposed across said opening and movable between said opening first and second ends along said longitudinal axis for engaging and transporting the package between said opening first and second ends;
(d) air flow means for causing a large volume of air to flow upwardly and relatively fast into said opening past said support means and out of said outlet with a small pressure drop;
(e) said support means being substantially disposed in said opening between said first and second ends and across the air flow; and
(f) said support means including a pair of narrow conveyors spaced apart from each other and being substantially non-obstructive to the airflow for permitting the large volume of air to flow from underneath and around the lateral sides of the package for urging the package upwardly against said conveyors, thereby permitting said conveyors to transport the package in the direction of said longitudinal axis from one of said first and second ends to the other end.
2. Package handling apparatus in claim 1, wherein:
(a) said air flow means includes a fan mounted across said outlet for drawing air through said opening.
3. Package handling apparatus as in claim 2, wherein:
(a) said fan is a centrifugal fan.
4. Package handling apparatus as in claim 2, wherein:
(a) said fan is mounted on said enclosure.
5. Package handling apparatus as in claim 1, and further comprising:
(a) means for varying the air flow into said enclosure.
6. Package handling apparatus as in claim 5, wherein:
(a) said varying means includes a louver operable between closed and open positions.
7. Package handling apparatus as in claim 6, wherein:
(a) said louver is disposed across said outlet.
8. Package handling apparatus as in claim 1, wherein:
(a) said conveyors include a pair of continuous belts spaced apart from each other.
9. Package handling apparatus as in claim 8, wherein:
(a) said support means includes a rotatable platen disposed between each of said belts for engaging and changing the orientation of the package.
10. Package handling apparatus as in claim 1, wherein:
(a) said support means includes a rotatable platen disposed in said opening for engaging and changing the orientation of the package.
US07/269,810 1987-11-11 1988-11-09 Package handling apparatus Expired - Fee Related US4981206A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8726404 1987-11-11
GB8726404A GB2212127B (en) 1987-11-11 1987-11-11 Package handling apparatus and method

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US4981206A true US4981206A (en) 1991-01-01

Family

ID=10626778

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US07/269,810 Expired - Fee Related US4981206A (en) 1987-11-11 1988-11-09 Package handling apparatus

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US4981206A (en)
GB (1) GB2212127B (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5163891A (en) * 1991-12-19 1992-11-17 Langston Staley Corporation Box forming machine having a vacuum belt top conveyor
WO1993018969A1 (en) * 1992-03-26 1993-09-30 Prototype Equipment Corporation Potato chip package vertical packaging machine
US5517800A (en) * 1994-06-21 1996-05-21 Brenner; Joseph H. Conveyor with intermittent fluid supply
US20140100101A1 (en) * 2010-09-07 2014-04-10 Sun Automation, Inc. Box making machines
CN106276051A (en) * 2016-10-17 2017-01-04 苏州承腾电子科技有限公司 A kind of LED lamp cover loss prevention conveying arrangement

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AUPP093997A0 (en) * 1997-12-12 1998-01-08 Tna Australia Pty Limited A conveyor
DE102008059177B4 (en) 2008-11-25 2010-08-05 Heesemann, Jürgen, Dipl.-Ing. A method for transporting a workpiece through a processing station of a workpiece processing device and workpiece processing device

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2970708A (en) * 1957-10-07 1961-02-07 Nippon Light Metal Co Ingot stacking machine and method
GB893120A (en) * 1960-03-11 1962-04-04 Bucciconi Eng Co Article conveyor
US3476241A (en) * 1966-12-01 1969-11-04 Fritz Ungerer System for the selective stacking of sheet material
US3633903A (en) * 1968-07-10 1972-01-11 Joseph E Foster Jr Sheet-transporting assembly
US3756912A (en) * 1970-12-31 1973-09-04 Durand Machine Co Ltd Conveyor mechanism for transferring paper web
US3877592A (en) * 1973-08-30 1975-04-15 Baker Perkins Inc Bakery product depanning apparatus
US4291974A (en) * 1980-01-10 1981-09-29 Xerox Corporation Dual mode document belt system
US4457419A (en) * 1981-04-03 1984-07-03 Dainippon Screen Mgf., Co., Ltd. Conveying/positioning apparatus for sheet material
US4651984A (en) * 1983-09-02 1987-03-24 M.A.N.-Roland Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft Method of and apparatus for accurate-register sheet transport in a printing machine

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2970708A (en) * 1957-10-07 1961-02-07 Nippon Light Metal Co Ingot stacking machine and method
GB893120A (en) * 1960-03-11 1962-04-04 Bucciconi Eng Co Article conveyor
US3476241A (en) * 1966-12-01 1969-11-04 Fritz Ungerer System for the selective stacking of sheet material
US3633903A (en) * 1968-07-10 1972-01-11 Joseph E Foster Jr Sheet-transporting assembly
US3756912A (en) * 1970-12-31 1973-09-04 Durand Machine Co Ltd Conveyor mechanism for transferring paper web
US3877592A (en) * 1973-08-30 1975-04-15 Baker Perkins Inc Bakery product depanning apparatus
US4291974A (en) * 1980-01-10 1981-09-29 Xerox Corporation Dual mode document belt system
US4457419A (en) * 1981-04-03 1984-07-03 Dainippon Screen Mgf., Co., Ltd. Conveying/positioning apparatus for sheet material
US4651984A (en) * 1983-09-02 1987-03-24 M.A.N.-Roland Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft Method of and apparatus for accurate-register sheet transport in a printing machine

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5163891A (en) * 1991-12-19 1992-11-17 Langston Staley Corporation Box forming machine having a vacuum belt top conveyor
WO1993018969A1 (en) * 1992-03-26 1993-09-30 Prototype Equipment Corporation Potato chip package vertical packaging machine
US5251422A (en) * 1992-03-26 1993-10-12 Prototype Equipment Corporation Potato chip package vertical packaging machine
US5279099A (en) * 1992-03-26 1994-01-18 Prototype Equipment Corporation Machine for testing pneumatically sealed bag
US5284003A (en) * 1992-03-26 1994-02-08 Prototype Equipment Corporation Machine for conditioning product in a sealed bag
US5517800A (en) * 1994-06-21 1996-05-21 Brenner; Joseph H. Conveyor with intermittent fluid supply
US20140100101A1 (en) * 2010-09-07 2014-04-10 Sun Automation, Inc. Box making machines
US9539785B2 (en) * 2010-09-07 2017-01-10 Sun Automation, Inc. Box making machines
CN106276051A (en) * 2016-10-17 2017-01-04 苏州承腾电子科技有限公司 A kind of LED lamp cover loss prevention conveying arrangement

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2212127A (en) 1989-07-19
GB2212127B (en) 1991-07-10
GB8726404D0 (en) 1987-12-16

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
KR102424035B1 (en) Storage facility for semiconductor containers
US4912943A (en) Method and apparatus for enhancing production capacity and flexibility of a multi-tier refrigeration tunnel
US4981206A (en) Package handling apparatus
US4174774A (en) Four-way diverting conveyor
US6510941B2 (en) Device for sealing lateral edge areas of an endless conveyor belt
US7007942B1 (en) Panel handling apparatus
US4053993A (en) Oven for a procession of containers
CN1781387A (en) High pressure chamber and apparatus for gas treatment of products
US3850478A (en) Accumulator apparatus and method
JP2022551729A (en) Two-pass conveyor system with tiltable trays
US5451125A (en) Controlled speed single file conveyor for multisize articles
US20190289898A1 (en) Heavies removal device for tobacco airflow separator
JPH0753072A (en) Device to separate flat article
US5478174A (en) Controlled speed single file conveyor
WO2023055629A1 (en) Vacuum conveyor
US2846961A (en) Oven circulator
KR100580379B1 (en) Apparatus for transferring of glass panel
US3834517A (en) High speed container orienting mechanism
US2576218A (en) Sheet material conveying and supporting means
JP4214468B2 (en) Transport device
JP2001048330A (en) Air-levitation-type belt conveyer device
SU927701A1 (en) Suction device for conveying flexible sheets
JP2006168912A (en) Bucket elevator and treatment method remaining grain in bucket elevator
JP2008013264A (en) Conveyor device for platelike body
JP2001225946A (en) Supply system to multi-row and multi-stage conveyer device

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: BISHOPBARN LIMITED, UNITED KINGDOM

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:FRANKLIN, KENNETH W.;REEL/FRAME:005026/0749

Effective date: 19881024

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: PAT HLDR NO LONGER CLAIMS SMALL ENT STAT AS SMALL BUSINESS (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: LSM2); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 4

REMI Maintenance fee reminder mailed
LAPS Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees
FP Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee

Effective date: 19990101

STCH Information on status: patent discontinuation

Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362